your flight a bit more comfortable.’
Leah fell on the little black bag like a child at Christmas. Pulling open the Cellophane in her haste to get to the goodies within, attempts at sophistication dissolved completely as she moaned in pleasure at the little bottles and jars that fell into her lap. ‘Lip balm, moisturiser—oh, and, look, a proper toothbrush, not one of those collapsible ones. Aren’t you going to open yours?’ she asked as Cole tucked his into the seat pouch.
‘I’ve already brushed my teeth, and as for lip balm…’ He gave a vague shrug, then pressed his call bell. Before the light had barely gone on the attentive steward was back. ‘Could I have my eye mask, please?’
‘Certainly, Doctor, but, we’re actually just about to serve dinner.’
Cole shook his head. ‘I’ll have the eye mask now, please.’ And before she even got the words out Cole answered the steward’s question. ‘I don’t want to be woken for meals, thanks.’
And without so much as a goodnight he pushed a button, the chair tilting backwards as he slipped on his mask, not even pulling over himself the fluffy little blanket the steward had returned with, as he effectively dismissed her.
Well, good riddance, Leah thought, casting a ravenous eye over the menu, scarcely able to believe her good luck at being upgraded, though knowing the next leg of her journey home was going to be sheer misery after sampling the delights behind the navy curtain. Still, as annoying as he was, as pompous and opinionated as he had been, she sort of missed Cole as he slept, would have loved to have had someone to sing the praises to about the delicious Australian lamb that was served, the tiny new potatoes and the heavenly chocolate mousse that followed.
Would love to have had someone to sob into her napkin with during the movie as she snuggled into her blanket, his gentle snore not even annoying. Stealing a look, she actually felt sorry for him.
Imagine being so blasé, so used to all this, it didn’t even merit a glance. What was the point in flying Business Class if you didn’t even stay awake for it?
‘We’re here.’
Opening her eyes, Leah attempted to orientate herself, grumbling at the intrusion, snuggling deeper into her warm blanket. If she could have found a snooze button, she’d have hit it. Still, staring into the dark eyes of Cole wasn’t exactly a rude awakening and she smiled sleepily back at him.
‘I fell asleep.’
‘You certainly did,’ Cole agreed.
‘Did I snore?’ Leah checked, and as per usual he didn’t spare her feelings.
‘Like a train.’
‘Welcome to Melbourne,’ the captain broke in, and a long spiel followed about car hire and hotels as Leah blinked a few times, stretching like a cat.
‘Did I miss anything?’ Cole frowned at her question. ‘I mean, did I miss any meals or—?’
‘Just coffee and chocolates.’ Seeing her face slip, obviously enjoying her torture, Cole elaborated in detail as the plane taxied to its designated landing bay. ‘It wasn’t much, just a little mini-box, dark, white and milk chocolate, you know the type.’
‘No, I don’t,’ Leah muttered. ‘And given this is my one and only foray into Business Class, I doubt I ever will.’
‘Here.’ Handing her a box, a smile crept over his impassive face as Leah gave a whoop of joy. ‘I told the steward I’d give it to you when you woke up. I had a feeling you wouldn’t want to miss out.’
The cabin crew were setting up for disembarking now, the seat-belt sign pinging as weary passengers stood up, reaching overhead and pulling out their luggage. As Cole jumped up, Leah suddenly didn’t want the journey to end. There was something about him that enthralled her, something behind that rather arrogant exterior she wanted to explore.
‘Have a safe trip back to England.’ His hand was out again, the gold band flashing its warning light, and Leah purposefully switched off her emotions.
‘Thanks.’ Shaking his hand, she gave him a smile. ‘Sorry about the snoring.’
Have a nice life, she wanted to add as Dr Drop-Dead Gorgeous made his way down the aisle and out of her life, leaving her curiously deflated. Catching sight of his unopened goody bag still sitting in the pouch in front of his seat Leah simply couldn’t help herself. The cleaners would only chuck it out, she assured herself as she reached forward and picked it up. It seemed such a shame to waste it.
‘Forgot my mobile.’
Jumping as if she’d been scalded, Leah thought she’d die of shame as Cole caught her red-handed. ‘Here, I was just picking these up for you. I thought I might see you at customs…’
‘It’s an internal flight,’ Cole pointed out, and she was positive, despite his bland expression, that he was laughing at her. ‘Help yourself.’
So she did!
Still burning with embarrassment, she made her way off the plane along the endless corridor and despite her best intentions she found herself scanning the masses for his dark-suited shoulders. He wasn’t exactly hard to locate as he stood a good head and shoulders above normal mortals, but catching sight of Kathy’s expectant face Leah’s attempt at a temporary diversion faded, the sight of her best friend after all this time overriding the pleasure derived from observing a stranger.
Kathy must have seen her as her hand was waving frantically as she dashed forward, her face shining, every bit the bride-to-be, but Leah realised as Kathy threw herself onto Cole that their brief meeting hadn’t quite ended.
‘Leah,’ Kathy shrieked, discarding Cole and lurching forward. ‘Can you believe you’re here?’
‘Not really.’ Leah laughed, blushing even more as Cole’s questioning eyes turned to her.
‘This is Leah,’ Kathy introduced them, ‘my one and only bridesmaid. This is Cole, the best man, and of course you’ve already met Dale.’
‘The husband-to-be.’ Leah kissed him on the cheek as Cole watched her thoughtfully, her own cheeks scorching with pleasure or embarrassment, she truly couldn’t decide. ‘Are you nervous yet?’
‘Not a bit.’ Dale grinned. ‘So how was the conference, Cole?’
‘Long,’ Cole said with a dry note to his voice.
‘And the flight?’
‘Long,’ he said again, as Leah burned with indignation.
Kathy, oblivious to the tension, shepherded them out of the arrivals lounge and into the late afternoon sun.
‘Isn’t he divine?’ Kathy nudged Leah as the guys walked on ahead, and Leah knew she wasn’t talking about her fiancé!
‘Married,’ Leah pointed out.
‘Widowed.’ Kathy winked, reverting to the type of shorthand best friends did so well, and suddenly Leah’s pulse kicked into overdrive, but even though men, or lack of them, was usually their favourite topic of conversation there was a certain reluctance on Leah’s part to let
